Logan Steele
The buccinator muscle is a thin, quadrilateral-shaped muscle found on each cheek that connects the cheek and jaw bones to the mouth. It is used for blowing air from the mouth, whistling, smiling, and suckling. Bell's palsy, a condition that causes facial paralysis, can result in buccinator paralysis. While some people may desire to reduce the size of their buccinators for aesthetic reasons, others may need to reposition or undergo surgery for the muscle due to abnormal attachments that cause issues with oral hygiene and movement of the lips and cheeks. Various treatments are available, including facial exercises, massage, and in more severe cases, surgery.
How to decrease buccinator muscles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buccinator Muscle |
| Description | A thin, quadrilateral facial muscle near the cheeks |
| Location | Side of the face near the cheeks between the upper and lower jaws |
| Number of Muscles | Two (one on each cheek) |
| Function | Involved in blowing air from the mouth, e.g. when playing wind instruments or blowing a trumpet |
| Related Conditions | Bell's Palsy, a facial paralysis that can cause food to get caught in the cheek or escape from the mouth |
| Treatment for Bell's Palsy | Facial exercises, e.g. blowing outwards with cheeks, massaging the cheeks, and mouth exercises |
| Alternative Treatment | Botox to deactivate muscles |
| Other Considerations | The buccinator muscle may atrophy with age or with facial yoga techniques |
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What You'll Learn
Facial yoga techniques
The buccinator muscle is a thin, quadrilateral facial muscle found on both sides of the face near the cheeks. It connects the cheek and jaw bones to the mouth and is used for blowing air out of the mouth, whistling, smiling, and suckling. While some people may desire a smaller buccinator muscle for aesthetic reasons, it is important to remember that atrophying this muscle is not recommended by all sources. Instead, building muscle in the face and reducing body fat can help improve facial aesthetics. Facial yoga and other exercises can be used to achieve this. Here are some techniques to try:
- Keeping your mouth closed, blow air outwards to puff your cheeks. Hold this position for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat this exercise ten times, three times per day.
- Using your index and middle fingers, massage the skin on your cheeks downwards towards your mouth until you reach the corners of your mouth. Do this for two minutes.
- Open your mouth and place one finger inside, with the other finger on the outside. Massage the cheek and lip area as much as possible.
- Facial yoga techniques can also include stretching the buccinator muscle.
Other Facial Exercises:
- Build the muscles around your lips. This will cause your cheeks to stretch slightly, reducing puffiness.
- Build your masseters by doing bolus chewing exercises. This will stretch the skin over your cheeks and compress them.
- Focus on developing your cheekbones and chin. As your cheekbones become more prominent, the contrast between the forwardness of your cheeks and the recession of the rest of your face will be reduced, resulting in less pronounced cheeks.
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Facial exercises
The buccinator muscle is the main muscle in your cheek and is responsible for pulling back the angle of the mouth and tensing the cheeks. It gets its name from its involvement in blowing air from the mouth, like when one blows a trumpet. There are two buccinators, one on each cheek.
- Fill your mouth with air and swirl it around in all directions. Suck your cheeks in and hold the position for a few seconds. This targets the buccinator muscles and promotes fuller cheeks.
- Try the Lion pose. Inhale deeply and slowly open your mouth as wide as you can, as if someone were trying to pin your cheeks to your ears. Tuck your chin, stick out your tongue, and fix your gaze between your eyebrows. Hold this pose for about 30 seconds, breathing through your mouth.
- Stand by a sink and fill your mouth with water, allowing your cheeks to puff out. Then, use your fingers to gently press your cheeks and push the water out of your mouth. Note the strength of the stream and try the exercise again, focusing on contracting your cheek muscles to achieve the same strong flow.
- Form an "O" with your mouth while pressing your upper lip against your teeth. Hold this position and smile with the corners of your mouth 30 to 40 times.
In addition to these exercises, regular facial massages can boost blood circulation and aid in muscle toning. It is important to remember that results won't appear overnight, and consistency and patience are key when it comes to facial exercises.
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Botox
The buccinator muscle has been overlooked as a target for Botox injections in the past, but recent studies have identified potential benefits of targeting this muscle. The buccinator muscle plays an important role in the lateral excursion of the mouth and mastication, alongside other facial muscles.
When treating the buccinator muscle with Botox, it is important to consider the proximity of the muscle to the parotid duct. However, studies have found no evidence of salivary dysfunction as a result of buccinator injection. The use of EMG-guided injections can also help to ensure more precise delivery of Botox into the affected muscle.
While Botox injections can be effective in treating the buccinator muscle in cases of facial synkinesis, it is important to note that it may not be suitable for everyone. There have been reports of complications such as eyelid ptosis, tearing, and lagophthalmos. Additionally, some patients have reported cheek flaccidity and difficulty manipulating food in their mouths after receiving Botox injections in the buccinator muscle.
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Surgical repositioning
Surgical buccinator muscle repositioning can address abnormal muscle attachments and improve associated functional, psychosocial, and emotional problems. The procedure involves relocating the muscle attachment apically using a surgical acrylic stent to achieve significant apical repositioning.
Vestibuloplasty using free gingival or split-thickness skin grafts as a denture base is the preferred procedure due to its effectiveness in increasing vestibular depth and obtaining a greater quantity of stable tissue. This approach minimizes the loss of vestibular depth during surgery and ensures long-term retention and stabilization.
In some cases, the frenulum, a small band of mucosal membrane attaching the lips and cheeks to the alveolar process, may need to be removed if it is thick and wide enough to interfere with tooth brushing or prosthodontic management. Similarly, coronally attached muscles, including the buccinator muscle, may require apical repositioning or resection to prevent similar issues.
It is important to consult experienced board-certified plastic surgeons to determine the best course of action and ensure patient safety.
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Cutting down on fat
One of the most effective ways to reduce buccinator muscle size is by cutting down on dietary fat. Fat consumption is often linked to increased facial fat, which can make the buccinators appear larger and more prominent. Here are some detailed instructions to cut down on dietary fat:
Start by evaluating your current fat intake. Keep a food diary for a few days to identify high-fat foods in your diet. Note down the sources of fat, including cooking oils, fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, and processed foods. This awareness will help you make targeted changes.
Gradually reduce your overall fat intake. Instead of drastic cuts, aim for a gradual reduction, which is more sustainable and healthier. Replace high-fat foods with leaner options. For example, choose skinless chicken breasts instead of fatty cuts of red meat, opt for low-fat or fat-free dairy, and use healthy cooking oils like olive oil in moderation.
Be mindful of hidden fats. Many processed foods, such as biscuits, cakes, and crisps, contain high levels of saturated fat. Read food labels to identify hidden sources of fat and choose lower-fat alternatives. Also, watch out for high-fat condiments and dressings, such as mayonnaise and creamy salad dressings, as they can significantly increase your fat intake.
Increase your consumption of lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. These provide sustained energy and help you feel fuller for longer, reducing the temptation to snack on fatty foods. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet, as they are naturally low in fat and provide essential nutrients and antioxidants.
When it comes to cooking, opt for healthier methods such as grilling, steaming, boiling, or baking instead of deep-frying. You can also try using non-stick cookware, which requires less oil for cooking. Additionally, practice portion control, especially when eating out, as restaurant meals often contain hidden fats and larger portions.
Finally, remember that completely eliminating fat from your diet is neither healthy nor sustainable. Aim for a balanced approach, ensuring you still consume essential fatty acids, such as omega-3s, which are beneficial for overall health. A diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods, with controlled portions of healthy fats, will help you cut down on fat and reduce the prominence of your buccinator muscles.
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Frequently asked questions
The buccinator muscle is a thin, quadrilateral facial muscle found on each cheek, near the upper and lower jaws. It is also known as the trumpeter muscle, as it is used when blowing air from the mouth.
Some people may want to decrease their buccinator muscles due to a condition called Bell's palsy, which causes facial paralysis. Others may want to reduce the muscles for aesthetic reasons, as they can interfere with the desired look of the face.
There are a few potential ways to decrease buccinator muscles. One method is through facial exercises, such as blowing outwards with your mouth shut to bulge your cheeks, and holding this position. Another way is through facial yoga techniques, which can stretch and atrophy the buccinators. In more severe cases, surgery may be an option to reposition the muscles.
